Challenges and surprises in hooking (heehee)

Every Christmas, the (rug) hookers I hang out with have a themed gift exchange. As we are about to break group for the summer, we have discussion (that would be the polite term!) about what to do this year. This past year we submitted a word that resonated to each of us, then there was a blind draw to pick a word, and hook your interpretation of it. What was the most difficult was that you didn’t know WHO it was for, so you couldn’t tailor it to their likes. The results were very inspiring, hilarious, and FUN. The previous year’s theme had been portraits, and the general consensus was that choice was definitely NOT fun, although it was at times inspiring and hilarious!

The word I pulled from the hat (to make) this past year was “picture”. Well, that was so wide open, it was daunting, especially since I didn’t know whether the person was thinking landscape, portrait, it could be anything! So, it took an awful long time to percolate through, and I was inspired by a gift my sister had given me to try punch needle, but try as I might I couldn’t find anyone or any good book of instruction for punch needle technique! Tick, tick, tick went the time towards the Christmas party. YIKES! So, drawing from what I knew, I decided to hook a small PICTURE, and, it being Christmas, did my interpretation of Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Using traditional wool hooking in a small #3 cut,

and adding a little relief using Proddy,

the piece finished about 4×6

All that was needed now was to give Mr. Cat some whiskers using embroidery thread and frame it up.

Here’s the finished piece

Our rug hooking group has a “theme” gift every Christmas party.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what my “word” was, it was ‘texture

and here’s the amazing work that I received as a gift, hooked and sewn by Ivy Nordquist.

And yes, true to form, I WAS finishing the piece right up to the last minute!

random selections

“Welcome Roses” by Zola Dore

Fun and games with Clay and Chalk painted tables

events

GWT at the annual Summerland plant sale!

Stop by my table at this annual fun Mother’s Day weekend event and say hello! I’ll have all things Spring from the store, with vintage planters and vases, (to show off your new purchases), fibre art flowers for year round blooming beauty, and vibrant coloured bags from Lillith Moon. My dear friend Read the rest

CeCe Caldwell’s chalk and clay paints

Want to get that “Vintage Look”? These paints are perfect! They require minimal prep for those that just want to get to it, fast dry time, and incredible adhesion to most clean surfaces. And best of all, they have no VOC’s, are non-toxic, easy water clean-up, and come in lots of great colours! Stop by Read the rest